Administrators - what you need to know about SD STARS implementation
Common Core info available
The Department of Education has created a fact sheet to help the general public in understanding the Common Core. More materials are being created and will be disseminated to schools in the coming months, however administrators can access this material as a resource when visiting with parents and other community members.

Lake Area Tech again an Aspen finalist
For the second year in a row, Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown has been recognized as one of the top four two-year colleges in the country by the Aspen Institute. >>>> LEARN MORE.

South Dakota Virtual School registration now open
Registration for the 2013-14 School Year is now open on the South Dakota Virtual School. A number of new courses have been added this past year, including several dual credit options. Many of the courses give students additional advanced CTE options, which can be particularly beneficial to smaller districts.

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Growth Model work group narrows down studies

South Dakotaís Growth Model work group met via conference call last month to discuss further analysis of the seven growth models selected for consideration for use in the stateís new accountability system.

The work group discussed the pros and cons of each of the seven models and then came to a consensus to eliminate the Projection, Categorical and Trajectory models. The Gain Score model was also tentatively taken out of consideration for the time being. LINK TO WORK GROUP WEBPAGE

Group members felt the Projection Model was similar to the Residual Gain Model but believed the Residual Gain Model would provide a truer measure of student growth. Overall, group members had problems with the Categorical Model because it didnít do enough to help or take into account those students who were in the bubble between Basic and Proficient categories.

Group members particularly liked the Student Growth Percentile Model and felt no matter which model they end up choosing, it is important to select a model that accurately measures studentsí academic achievement and will also be easy for parents and the public to understand.